Helping Hands Across America

Hunger affects more than 35 million people in the United States everyday. Almost 12 million of them are children. But together, we can make adifference and help those in need within our community.

Are you interested in helping to end hunger? Do you still need hours forcitizenship? As a Helping Hands volunteer, not only would you be collectingfood to feed the hungry, you will also be building your leadership andcommunication skills!

With the help from volunteers like you, we were able to raise over 15,000pounds of food in one weekend to donate in 2009 and over 26,000 pounds lastyear. Because of volunteers like you, we were able to support the localpantries and soup kitchens in Biddeford, Saco, Kennebunk, Dayton and Lymanduring the holidays.

What can you do to help? We will need: - Volunteers to help with the Helping Hands Weekend collection on theweekend of October 22nd and 23rd. At the supermarkets, we tell the customerswhat we are doing, why, and who its for. At all locations, people will bedropping food off and we collect it from them. - Volunteers to help distribute the collected food to the local foodpantries in November. This will take place in Decary Dining Hall. - Volunteers to help with promotional materials and publicizing. - Project coordinators to connect and communicate with high schools in theBiddeford and Saco to run collections and events at the schools - Project coordinators to reach out to other student organizations tocollaborate in various fundraising event: Rotoract, RSLA, InternationalClub, etc.

The biggest annual event we have is the October weekend where we raise mostof our food to donate. On the weekend of October 22nd and 23rd, we will holdour collection at Shaw’s Supermarkets of Biddeford and Saco, and at the SacoTrain Station. We need volunteers to help with collection at all locations.The food drive will run from 9a.m. to 5p.m. on both days. There will be 4hour shifts each day, you are welcome to volunteer during one shift, or youcan volunteer for all four shifts. We will have muffins and scones in themorning, snacks and drinks throughout the day. Lunch will be provided, andyou’ll get to hang out with all kinds of generous, wonderful people!

There will be an informational meeting on Sunday, October 2nd at 3p.m. inDecary Dining Hall’s function rooms. For those who are interested inleadership positions are Project Coordinators, this meeting is mandatory. Ifyou are not available at that time, please let me know.

Alvin Lam, CoordinatorHelping Hands Across AmericaUniversity of New England207.450.7702alam1@une.edu